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TRENTON, N.J. — Drugmaker Merck & Co. said yesterday that federal regulators are reviewing
its application to sell a new type of treatment for grass-pollen allergy that gradually reduces
allergy symptoms over time, rather than just temporarily relieving the sneezing and itching.

The treatment, a tablet that quickly dissolves under the tongue, could become the first
alternative available in the United States to getting a long series of uncomfortable allergy shots.
Both methods work by gradually desensitizing the patient’s immune system to the substance
triggering the allergic reaction.

Merck’s immunotherapy, still unnamed, would be taken daily throughout allergy season for three
years.

The company said six late-stage studies of the tablet in nearly 3,500 adults and children found
that it was safe and effective at reducing grass-allergy symptoms.

“This product will be used by tens of millions of people,” predicted WBB Securities analyst
Steve Brozak.

Dr. Linda Cox, president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, called
immunotherapy tablets a “major advance” in patient treatment because they are being developed for
multiple common allergy types.